The 2022 University of New Mexico Business and Economic Summit

The purpose of the 2022 University of New Mexico Business and Economic Summit is to convene around Right to Start. Right to Start is working to expand entrepreneurial opportunity for all and drive civic change through: grassroots organizing and mobilizing, policy advocacy and engagement, and lifting the voices of entrepreneurs through media and storytelling.

The day will include panels discussing entrepreneurship in New Mexico and how we break down barriers and create opportunity for more entrepreneurs.

Agenda details:

9:30 - 10:00 a.m. – Networking & Refreshments

10:00 - 10:15 a.m. – Welcome & Opening Remarks

• Garnett S. Stokes, PhD, President, The University of New Mexico
• Howie Morales, Lieutenant Governor, State of New Mexico

10:15 - 11:15 a.m. – New Mexico Legislative Panel: Discussion of a Right to Start Act, moderated by Jason Grill, Government Affairs, Right to Start

• Representative Meredith Dixon, District 20
• Representative T. Ryan Lane, District 3
• Senator Michael Padilla, District 14

11:15 - 11:45 a.m. – Networking Break/Lunch

11:45 - 11:55 a.m. – Introduction of Keynote Speaker, given by Lisa Kuuttila, CEO & Chief Economic Development Officer, UNM Rainforest Innovations

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. – Keynote Presentation – Entrepreneurship and the Right to Start, presented by Victor Hwang, Founder and CEO, Right to Start

1:00 - 1:10 p.m. – Networking Break

1:10 - 1:15 p.m. – Introduction to Entrepreneurship in New Mexico Panels, given by Doug Ziedonis, MD, MPH, Executive Vice President, UNM Health Sciences & CEO, UNM Health System

1:15 - 2:00 p.m. – Tribal Entrepreneurship Panel, moderated by Sandra Begay, Secretary Treasurer, The University of New Mexico Board of Regents and Chair, Board of Directors, UNM Rainforest Innovations

• Liz Gamboa, Director, New Mexico Community Capital
• Angelo McHorse, Owner, Bison Star Naturals
• Vanessa Roanhorse, CEO, Roanhorse Consulting

2:00 - 2:45 p.m. – Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Panel, moderated by Edgar Solis, Advocate, New Mexico, Right to Start

• Dana DeRego Catron, PhD, Deputy Director, Arrowhead Center, New Mexico State University
• Marie Longserre, President & CEO, Santa Fe Business Incubator
• Lorenzo Reyes, Jr., PhD, Associate Vice President for Workforce and Economic Development, San Juan College
• Rose Reza, Executive Director, UNM-Taos H.I.V.E.
• Drew Tulchin, President, New Mexico Angels

2:45 - 3:00 p.m. – Networking Break

3:00 - 4:00 p.m. – Opportunities for Entrepreneurial Growth: Leveraging New Mexico’s Increased Revenues, moderated by Alex Greenberg, Director of Office of Science and Technology, New Mexico Economic Development Department

• Rob Black, President & CEO, New Mexico Chamber of Commerce
• Dale Dekker, Founding Principal/Architect, Dekker Perich Sabatini
• Francine Sommer, CEO, Respect Wellness

4:00 p.m. – Closing Remarks & Networking Reception, given by James Holloway, PhD, Provost & Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, The University of New Mexico

Parking Information:

Feel free to park in any spot in front of the Lobo Rainforest Building except those marked as Reserved. While this lot typically requires a permit to park, there will be no parking enforcement on the day of the event only.

Suggested hotel accommodations:

Hilton Garden Inn Albuquerque Downtown & Homewood Suites by Hilton Albuquerque Downtown is located across the street from the Lobo Rainforest Building and the University of New Mexico has a discounted room rate. Follow the links below to view available rooms.

View the Hilton Garden Inn Albuquerque Downtown (UNM Booking Link) HERE.

View the Homewood Suites by Hilton UNM Booking Link HERE